As with joining any organization, carefully examine the "benefits for YOU" of a GS membership before joining; what works for one is useless for another. Ask yourself what perks a GS membership offers that are unique and not duplicated from another "membership" that you might already have? As others have said, the GS 10% site discount at most RV parks is available with an AAA, AARP, or military ID card. Will you use any of the other listed membership "benefits"? Some people apparently feel that "Highways" magazine is the best perk of GS membership; to me, that's laughable, but YMMV. Look carefully at the cost to "re-up"; the "low introductory price" of GS membership is for *new* members, and subsequent enrollments will very likely cost more. And, although some have been successful at cutting off the flow of junk mail from GS and all of its "partners" owned by AGI, Inc., others have not.
After realistically scrutinizing the "benefits", if a membership sounds like it will work for YOU, great; what works for one is useless for another; look at the offerings and decide if the returns are worth the cost(s) to YOU, then subscribe or don't.
Some time ago a friend told me he got a substantial discount on his GMAC insurance by being a Good Sam member. Don't know if that is still the case, but might be worth checking.
Thanks for the input.
I checked out the web site and combined with your comments found I would not benefit from the membership. The routing service I have in DeLoran and, Garmin GPS. I can find cheaper insurance and road service. Park discounts I can get with AARP, Disabled Vets Card, or Passport Amercia. Parks I can find on RV Park Reviews or other such sites. Fuel prices on Gas Buddy. Don't need any more mail. The rv forum they advertise, as part of the member benifits, just brings you back to this forum. I don't do caravans, or cattle call organized type events. Looks more like an RV service related marketing machine than a club. Thanks for the info. I think I'll pass on this one. Seems I remember as a youngster Good Sam was an organization that was thought of as a "must belong" club for the avid rver.
rolnhome wrote: Thanks for the input.
Seems I remember as a youngster Good Sam was an organization that was thought of as a "must belong" club for the avid rver.
It was, when it was started and operated by an RVer, but not since it was sold to some corporate conglomerate.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & FT Class of 2002 '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins -With-'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC, Z-71, the pusher & our Arctic Cat 500A & Suzuki KQ 400A, riding in or behind the pusher. Where the wheels are stopped
A Good Sam membership will cost you $12.00 if you join at a member park. My park accepts only Good Sam and Active Military for a 10% discount. We give a senior discount of 5%. Stay at my park for 3 nights and you will recover your membership cost. Junk mail to me is just that, junk. I file it in the circular file and take it away. It doesn't effect my life in one way or the other.
I am a life member of GS and find that the benefits that we receive sometimes fall into the invisible category of advocates. The work that GS does to help keep laws RV friendly allow many of us to still park our RVs at home. This forum (while not titled GS) is part of the parent company of Good Sam and we could lose it without the support of membership.
Before you throw rocks at an organization make sure that you know everything that it does for you. As others have said, look at all of the organizations and pick the one that is right for you but keep in mind, the total advocacy that they do for the RV experience.
WE GO WHERE WE ARE TOWED!
Ron and Conni
Greentown, In
Cedar Creek 29LRLBS
Ford F-250 6.0 Diesel
westernrvparkowner wrote: A Good Sam membership will cost you $12.00 if you join at a member park. My park accepts only Good Sam and Active Military for a 10% discount. We give a senior discount of 5%. Stay at my park for 3 nights and you will recover your membership cost. Junk mail to me is just that, junk. I file it in the circular file and take it away. It doesn't effect my life in one way or the other.
That's 40+ dollars a night. We'd have to spend 4 nights to see a 4 dollar savings. I try to keep my budget below that amount. 60 days on the road thats 2400 dollars. 10% off that isn't a real bargain. State parks and National Parks, PA parks, and Wallys are way less than what Good Sam could come close to saving me. I also have Western Horizons and AOR, so I doubt I would ever use GS I don't see the benifit for me. Thanks for the offer but no thank you.
RonandConni wrote: I am a life member of GS and find that the benefits that we receive sometimes fall into the invisible category of advocates. The work that GS does to help keep laws RV friendly allow many of us to still park our RVs at home. This forum (while not titled GS) is part of the parent company of Good Sam and we could lose it without the support of membership.
Before you throw rocks at an organization make sure that you know everything that it does for you. As others have said, look at all of the organizations and pick the one that is right for you but keep in mind, the total advocacy that they do for the RV experience.
Not throwing rocks just trying to find the pros and cons. I have found it is not for me. I'm sure GS will survive without my 12-30 dollars.
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